The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, has welcomed the agreement signed on Tuesday between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-north) on political partnership and security arrangements in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states.

"This significant development represents a decisive step towards consolidating peace, security and democracy in the Republic of Sudan" Ping said in a statement released on Wednesday.

The agreement, which was signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, is expected to pave way for the cessation of hostilities in South Kordofan. Security expert, Hassan Bayomi, said the agreement is a great step towards an agreement on the pending issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.